Insulating fixture-stud.



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APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 19. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STnTEs Patented October 20, 1903.

PATENT EEicE.

ALEXANDER C. PROUDFlT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THOMAS it* BETTS, OF NEWY YORK, N. Y., A FIRM.

iNSULATiP-l@ FlXTUiimSTUD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.. 742,098, dated October 20, 1903.

Application filed September 19, 1903. Serial No. 173,894. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, ALEXANDER C. PROUD- Fir, of New York, State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in insulating Fixture-Studs, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like numerals on the drawings designating like parts.

This invention has for its object the proxo vision of an insulating iiXture-stud of particular advantage when used in connection with outlet-boxes for electrical conduits, although I contemplate the utilization of myimprovements in any eld to which they may be adapted by reason of their nature.

At the present day the ordinary fixturestud is neither insulated nor is it adjustable, both of these important qualities having been found difficult to embody in a nxzo ture-stud by reason of the fact that a standard base is required by all manufacturers of outlet-boxes and a space is left so narrow as to make it difficult to include in the stud the necessary insulating material consistent with strength of construction, although attempts have been made without success, no attempt, however, having been made, so far as l am aware, to produce a stud of standard size which will at once present features of insulation proper to withstand the high voltage of tests at present required by building departments, together with the very desirable adjustabilit-y.

Among the important features of my inven- 3 5 tion the interlocking of the parts contributes great strength, and the' quality of the insulation has been carried to an extent which prevents any practical danger of short-circniting, while a compact form of ball-joint 4o has been used and adapted to the requirements of the confined spaces of an outlet-box, enabling a universal adjustment of the fixture attached to the stud, my invention obviating the necessity hitherto found for several devices to accomplish insulation, adjustment, and strength of attachment by combining in a single device members yielding these features.

The various features of my invention will 5o be illustrated and described fully in the accompanying drawings and specification.

ln the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates in vertical longitudinal section an insulating adjustable fixture-stud in the construction of which myinvention has been embodied. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modied form of stud, and Fig. 3 a similar view of still another modication, Fig. l being a view of the parts composing the stud shown in Fig. 3 separated, while Fig. 5 is' a view similar to Fig. l of a 6o iiXture-stud insulated, but not adjustable; and Figs. 6 and 7 are views respectively in cross-section on the line fc fr, Fig. l, and on a similar line of a modification thereof.

ln the embodiment of my invention selected for illustration and description as a convenient form to enable ready and complete understanding of my improvements the reference-numerals 1 and 2 designate, respectively, the attaching member and supporting 7o member of an insulating fixture-stud, the former being provided with lugs 3 to permit its attachment in the usual manner to existing outlet-boxes of standard dimensions.

To unite the attaching and supporting members in a manner permitting of angular axial adjustment relatively to each other, I have shown as one convenient form ofineans a collar d engaging a foot 5, projecting from the base of the supporting member, a rough- 8o en ed concavity 6 iitting upon the convex face of a head-piece 7, threaded peripherally at S to receive the collar -l-, the collar, foot, and head-piece coperating in a manner which will be readily understood.

The head-piece 7 is insulated by a washer 9, preferably formed of micanite or sheets of mica, and preferably a ring 10, of similar insulating material, will be placed around the boss of the attaching member, and to secure 9o the head piece to the attaching member firmly, but with due insulation, and preferably in interloclred relation, I have illustrated a beveled connecting-stud l1, which may be circular, as shown in Fig. 6, polygonal, as shown in Fig. 7, or of other convenient and suitable cross-section, entering a similarly-shaped,recess l2 in the boss of the attaching member, micanite or similar insulation 1d being provided between the two and roc the stud having a projection l5 secured to the head-piece 7, preferably by threaded engagement with a central aperture 16 in the latter, although other means of connecting these parts may be adapted as desired or found suitable.

In assembling the parts the member 1l may be inserted in the recess 12, the insulation 9 and 10 put in place, and the headpiece 7 run down snugly upon the projection 15, and thereafter insulation in melted or other suitable condition may be introduced at 13 and 14 and compacted in place under pressure, the member 11 being centered within its recess by the head-piece 7, which may be tightened up after introduction of the insulating material to the recess 14. p

l do not, of course, limit myself to the specific kind of insulation nor to the mode of applying it just described for the sake of illustration.

The modification shown in Fig. 2 illustrates a tilting supporting member. The headpiece 17 is flat and the foot 18 of the supporting member recessed to receive a setscrew 19, the collar 4 acting as before.

1n the form shown in Figs. 3 and l1 the attaching member 2O has a stud 21 integral or conveniently connected thereto, preferably provided with a lower shoulder 22 and ahead 23. A head member 24, similar in function to those already described, fits down over the stud against insulating means, which may take the form conveniently of a washer 25, adjacent the shoulder 22, an insulatiug-cap 26 between the head of the stud and the inner surface of the head-piece, while other insulation may be provided in the shape of micanite, enamel, or the like, which may be molded between the two parts in assembling the same or may he introduced through apertures 27, if it is found desirable to provide such means.

I have shown a retaining-washer 28 engaging the inner surface of the head-piece and serving to prevent displacement of the latter by being embedded in the interior insulation.

Fig. 5 is the same in every respect to Fig. 1, except that the head-piece 29 has an integral stud 30, to which direct attachment of the fixture may be made.

Having thus described and illustrated my invention fully and several forms in which the same may be embodied, it will be undermariee stood that 1 do notlimit myself to such specific forms, nor in general otherwise than as set forth in the specification and claims read in connection with each other.

Vihat 1 claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An adjustable insulating fixture-stud for electrical outlet-boxes, comprising an attaching member, a convex head portion insulated therefrom, a supporting member havinga concave foot cooperating with said head portion to form a ball-joint, and a collar uniting said head and foot portions, said attaching and supporting members being insulated from each other in their various positions of adjustment, substantially as described.

2. An adjustable fixture-stud for electrical outlet-boxes, comprising an attaching member having a convex head portion threaded peripherally and presenting a large surface for frictional engagement, a supporting member having a concave bearing-surface coperating frictionally therewith substantially throughout said surface presented by said convex head portion to form a ball-and-socket joint, and a collar screwed upon the threaded periphery of said head portion to engage said supporting member and hold said parts in adjusted relation, substantially as described.

3. Aninsulating fixture-stud comprisingan attaching member having a beveled socket, a beveled connecting-stud within said socket, a head-piece provided with a fixture-stud or like fixture-supporting member, insulation between said head-piece and attaching mem* ber and between said attaching member and said connecting-stud, said head-piece and supporting member being formed separately from said connecting-stud but connected to, and supported by, said connecting-stud, and secured to said attaching member by the interlocking engagement of the beveled portion of said connecting-stud member within said beveled socket, substantially as described.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 17th day of September, A. D. 1003.

ALEXANDER C. PROUDFIT.

Witnesses:

CHARLES F.v GEHRMANN, HARRY H. WALTON. 

